Eastham mum with special parking permit abused because her son does not look disabled

Jul 1 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Heswall News

A MUM with a special parking permit has suffered verbal abuse from pedestrians because her son does not look disabled.

Helen Wood’s three-year-old son Liam has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a serious form of the condition, which affects mainly males.

Sufferers have mobility problems and shortened life expectancies, and are usually in a wheelchair by their early teens. Liam’s parents, of Eastham, were given a blue badge parking permit because the youngster is unsteady on his feet and often has to be carried.

But his mum said they have become the target of angry outbursts from other drivers and passers-by because, at first sight, Liam does not appear to be disabled.

Helen, 28, a nurse, said: “Liam falls over all the time. He cannot walk as far as other children because his legs tire and his muscles are not as strong.

“We are always being snarled and pointed at, and people make nasty and abusive comments.

“The first time it happened was at Asda in Bromborough. I saw an elderly couple looking at me.

“They started mouthing things to each other and said I should not park there because I do not have a disability. Liam just sits in a normal baby seat so no-one can tell what he has by looking at him.”

There is no cure for the condition but Liam has regular physiotherapy and hydrotherapy sessions at Clatterbridge Child Development Centre to help his movement.

Helen was found to be a carrier of the gene which causes the condition, but her other son and daughter are not affected.

Helen said: “It makes me angry when we get the looks and comments, particularly from elderly people because my child is never going to be their age.”

“He will be lucky to see his 21st.”